Native plants for Merced County, California
660 native plants recorded in Merced County, California
The USDA plant database has 1,056 plants recorded growing wild in Merced County. 660 of them are native to the lower 48, and 164 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 496 wildflowers and herbs, 74 grasses and sedges, 22 shrubs, 35 low woody plants, 26 trees, 7 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 112 of them (17%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and 9 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Merced County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 112 | 0 | 548 |
| Half shade | 98 | 14 | 548 |
| Under trees | 66 | 46 | 548 |
| Heavy clay | 81 | 31 | 548 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 66 | 46 | 548 |
| Never watered | 45 | 67 | 548 |
| Stays soggy | 73 | 39 | 548 |
Sun all day in Merced County: 112 rated natives
56 wildflowers and herbs, 29 grasses and sedges, 15 trees, 6 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Scarlet monkeyflower (Mimulus cardinalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Merced County: 98 rated natives
48 wildflowers and herbs, 26 grasses and sedges, 12 trees, 6 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Spreading alkaliweed (Cressa truxillensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Hooker's evening primrose (Oenothera elata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Under trees in Merced County: 66 rated natives
29 wildflowers and herbs, 20 grasses and sedges, 8 trees, 5 shrubs, 4 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spreading alkaliweed (Cressa truxillensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hooker's evening primrose (Oenothera elata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Wavyleaf Indian paintbrush (Castilleja applegatei) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · perennial - Coyotebrush (Baccharis pilularis) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Mule-fat (Baccharis salicifolia) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Merced County: 81 rated natives
45 wildflowers and herbs, 22 grasses and sedges, 6 trees, 5 low woody plants, 2 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Golden tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Philadelphia fleabane (Erigeron philadelphicus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Spreading alkaliweed (Cressa truxillensis) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Tinker's penny (Hypericum anagalloides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Merced County: 66 rated natives
27 wildflowers and herbs, 18 grasses and sedges, 14 trees, 5 shrubs, 1 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Miner's lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Seep monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hooker's evening primrose (Oenothera elata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Smooth beggartick (Bidens laevis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Bastardsage (Eriogonum wrightii) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial - California wildrose (Rosa californica) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Never watered in Merced County: 45 rated natives
15 grasses and sedges, 11 wildflowers and herbs, 11 trees, 4 shrubs, 4 low woody plants. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Eastern Mojave buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Salt heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bastardsage (Eriogonum wrightii) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance - Wavyleaf Indian paintbrush (Castilleja applegatei) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · perennial · high drought tolerance - Coyotebrush (Baccharis pilularis) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - California wildrose (Rosa californica) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 10 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) trees
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 15 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Stays soggy in Merced County: 73 rated natives
42 wildflowers and herbs, 19 grasses and sedges, 7 trees, 2 low woody plants, 2 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American water plantain (Alisma subcordatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - California damsonium (Damasonium californicum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Dotted smartweed (Polygonum punctatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Natives Merced County has that most of California does not
6 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of California's 58 counties. A few of them:
- Sixweeks lovegrass (Eragrostis lutescens): only here
- Yellow spikerush (Eleocharis flavescens): 2 counties
- Merced monardella (Monardella leucocephala): 2 counties
- Idria buckwheat (Eriogonum vestitum): 3 counties
- Prairie sunflower (Helianthus petiolaris): 3 counties
- Creeping primrose-willow (Ludwigia repens): 3 counties
Where to start in Merced County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Merced County gives you the most rated choice (112 plants), and American speedwell (Veronica americana) is the easiest start on that list. Never watered is the hard one here: 45 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 548 unrated natives too.